The following list contains new and years-old book releases, so that those that are starting to read can become bookworms, step by step.

You will find my monthly recommendations for Growing, Tween, and Teen Readers here!  

​Advanced readers can also choose their pick, because reading a book that is old also has its advantages.  Books come with infinite knowledge, remember that!

Growing Readers, 6-8 years old.

1.  My Monster Farts (Monster Farts #1), by Kate Clary. Its release date was October 25th, 2012 and has 12 pages.

“Short chapter book ideal for kids age 5 up to 8.

Zach has a pet monster called Lenny. No one else can see or hear him.

He loves Lenny but there is one big problem. Lenny loves to fart! He farts at home and at school and everyone thinks that it’s Zach.

Zach is tired of getting in trouble because of Lenny’s farting.
What will Zach do?”– Goodreads.

2.  Christmas at Carol’s, by Nicola Yeager. Its release date was October 19th, 2015 and has 176 pages.

“Carol Gabriel hates Christmas. Not just a little bit, but quite a lot. 
She can’t even stand having a boyfriend over the Christmas period and habitually dumps them just before the season begins. 

Even the restaurant she co-owns, a French bistro called Carol’s, doesn’t do a Christmas menu and it doesn’t do Christmas decoration, either. 
But then she gets some bad news; the bistro is failing. 

There’s too much local competition, they don’t have enough customers and there’s a risk that the business may have to sold. 

For the sake of the restaurant, her glamorous business partner Roksana and all its much-loved employees, Carol takes on her mother’s advice and creates a Christmas menu for the first time. 

She may even tart the place up with some decorations. 

But it’s an uphill struggle. There’s a reason Carol doesn’t like Christmas and it’s one that she keeps to herself… 

As time is running out Carol wonders if she’s left it too late. 

Will her fabulous and charming employees be able to boost the restaurant's popularity? Will there be Christmas at Carol’s? 

‘Christmas at Carol’s’ is an incredibly witty culinary romance that will have you laughing out loud and drooling for delicious Christmas fare… ” – Goodreads.

3.  Still Just Grace (Just Grace #2) by Charise Mericle Harper. Its release date was October 22nd,  2007 and has 160 pages.

“A fun new boy has just moved in next door to Grace’s best friend, Mimi. When Grace has to go away on a family trip during school, she is terrified that when she comes back Mimi will be best friends with Max instead! After her trip, not only does it seem her fear has come true, but Mimi is even friends with the disgusting Sammy. Now Just Grace has to team up with two other Graces in her third-grade class for a school project, including the Big Meanie” – Goodreads.

4.  Terry Treetop and the Lost Egg (Terry Treetop #1) by Tali Carmi. Its release date was December 23rd, 2013 and has 40 pages.

“Send your kids on an adventure! This fun children's picture book is about a boy with red hair and freckles named Terry, yet everybody calls him Terry Treetop because he loves climbing trees. Terry finds a small egg, and his quest is to bring it back home to its mom. But where is the egg's home? Does the egg belong to a turtle on the sand or a crocodile's spring water? Did it come from a frog in a pond or a chicken in the wild? Do your kids love to listen to stories about the habitat and environment of different kinds of animals? Do your children like beautiful picture books?” – Goodreads.

5.  Cinderella, by The Walt Disney Company. It’s release date was August 23rd, 2005 and has 24 pages.

“The most beloved princess movie of all time—Disney's Cinderella—is retold in the classic Little Golden Book format.” – Goodreads.​

Tween, 9-12 years old.

1.  Secret Sisters #1: Heart to Heart, by Sandra Byrd. Its release date was January 1st, 2011 and has 224 pages.

“After a lonely time in the fifth grade, Tess Thomas dreads the beginning of the next school year. Then the exclusive Coronado Club invites her to join. She thinks she'll do anything to belong—until she finds out just what “anything” means. How far is too far to keep a friend? When does belonging cost more than you should pay?” – Goodreads.

2.  Jessica Darling’s It List (Jessica Darling’s It List #1), by Megan McCafferty. Its release date was September 3rd, 2013 and has 223 pages.

“Move over, Dork Diaries! Jessica Darling, star of Megan McCafferty's bestselling Jessica Darling series for adults, is back in a hilarious new series perfect for tween (10 to 14) girls.

I hadn't even gotten to homeroom yet and I'd already discovered five hard truths about junior high:

1. My best friend had turned pretty.
2. She didn't know it yet.
3. It wouldn't be long before she did.
4. That knowledge would change everything between us.
5. And there wasn't a thing I could do about it.

It's the first day of seventh grade. Is Jessica Darling doomed for dorkdom?

New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty's hilarious series opener will have you laughing, cringing, and cheering for Jessica Darling as she learns that being herself beats being popular, pretty & perfect any day.” – Goodreads.

3.  A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle. It was first published in 1962, but the renewed version was published in November 7th, 2017.
 
“It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger. 

“Wild nights are my glory,” the unearthly stranger told them. “I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me be on my way. Speaking of way, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract.”

Meg's father had been experimenting with this fifth dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappeared. Now the time has come for Meg, her friend Calvin, and Charles Wallace to rescue him. But can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space?” – Goodreads.

4.  Diary of a Wickedly Cool Witch: Bullies and Baddies, by Kate Cullen. Its release date was April 8th, 2016 and has 146 pages.

“What is the most humiliating and embarrassing incident a school girl could ever experience? Think of the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever encountered at school and double the humiliation; triple it in fact!

In this wickedly funny chapter book for middle grade girls, Lily, the headstrong but adorable witch goes head to head with the school’s meanest cheerleaders in a bid to stamp out bullying. But helping others sometimes means missing out on what you really want? What is the one thing Lily really wants and can she get it and still save eighth grader, Kaitlyn, from the most embarrassing catastrophe a schoolgirl could ever imagine? It’s one of the most difficult decisions she’s ever had to face, and the consequences could affect Kaitlyn terribly for the rest of her school years.

Diary of a Wickedly Cool Witch touches on the notion of bullying, self-image, standing up for yourself, caring for your friends and being an individual, in a light hearted, humorous way. It will make you laugh and cry as you follow Lily’s plight to rid the school of bullies, try and make the cheerleading team and learn how to hold a boy’s hand without making a dork of herself, all in the one week.” – Goodreads.
 
5.  The Storybook of Legends (Ever After High #1), by Shannon Hale.  Its release date was October 8th, 2013 and has 305 pages.

“At Ever After High, an enchanting boarding school, the children of fairytale legends prepare themselves to fulfill their destinies as the next generation of Snow Whites, Prince Charmings and Evil Queens...whether they want to or not. Each year on Legacy Day, students sign the Storybook of Legends to seal their scripted fates. For generations, the Village of Book End has whispered that refusing to sign means The End-both for a story and for a life.

As the daughter of the Evil Queen, Raven Queen's destiny is to follow in her mother's wicked footsteps, but evil is so not Raven's style. She's starting to wonder, what if she rewrote her own story? The royal Apple White, daughter of the Fairest of Them All, has a happy ever after planned for herself, but it depends upon Raven feeding her a poison apple in their future.

What if Raven doesn't sign the Storybook of Legends? It could mean a happily never after for them both. ” – Goodreads.

Teen, 13+ years old.
 
1.  Rotten Rapunzel (Dark Fairy Tale Queen #3), by Anita Valle. It was published on September 20th, 2017 and has 184 pages.

“I have been in this tower for fifteen years. Snow White has frozen me inside it and covered the rest of our kingdom with ice and snow. I can't remember what summer is like. And I have never seen people or had a friend.

It's not fair. I'm a princess, the daughter of Cinderella. This kingdom belongs to ME. Not to the nasty new queen who's taken over. Snowy ruined my life, she doesn't care about me. She only keeps me because I cry magic tears.

I have to escape. Have to take back the palace before my lost twin gets it. Have to punish Snowy for wrecking the kingdom. Have to make at least ONE stupid friend. And I really have to do something about my hair.”– Goodreads.

2.  The Law of Tall Girls, by Joanne Macgregor. It was published on September 2nd, 2017 and it has 307 pages.
 
“When you really stand out, can you ever fit in?

Seventeen-year-old Peyton Lane is a tall girl. So tall, it’s the only thing most people notice about her. 

On impulse, she accepts a bet to prove she can be as attractive and desirable as other girls. Now she just needs to go on four dates (including the prom) with one of the guys on her very short list of very tall boys.

Number one on the list is Jay Young – the new guy that Peyton already likes way more than she should. Because not only is Jay already taken, he’s also breaking her Law of Tall Girls, and he’s determined to discover the awful secret she’s been hiding for most of her life.

Funny and romantic, The Law of Tall Girls is a feel-good, heart-warming read for anyone who’s ever felt different, or like they just don’t belong. 

This young adult contemporary romance will appeal to fans of Kasie West, Stephanie Perkins, Jenny Han, Julie Buxbaum and Morgan Matson.” – Goodreads.

3.  The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. It was first published in 1947, but it was then edited and published again in July 1993. It has 304 pages.

“Anne Frank's extraordinary diary, written in the Amsterdam attic where she and her family hid from the Nazis for two years, has become a world classic and a timeless testament to the human spirit. Now, in a new edition enriched by many passages originally withheld by her father, we meet an Anne more real, more human, and more vital than ever. Here she is first and foremost a teenage girl—stubbornly honest, touchingly vulnerable, in love with life. She imparts her deeply secret world of soul-searching and hungering for affection, rebellious clashes with her mother, romance and newly discovered sexuality, and wry, candid observations of her companions. Facing hunger, fear of discovery and death, and the petty frustrations of such confined quarters, Anne writes with adult wisdom and views beyond her years. Her story is that of every teenager, lived out in conditions few teenagers have ever known.” – Goodreads.

4.  The Wrong Bachelor, by Alexandra Moody. It was published in July 8th, 2018 and has 282 pages.

“Bachelor: A desirable potential boyfriend. AKA not Cole Kingston.

Seventeen-year-old Madison (Madi) Matthews wants nothing to do with the dating competition her school is holding to raise money for charity. She's never been interested in chasing a guy before and she certainly isn't interested in competing for one in front of the whole school.

But, when Madi is voted as one of the ten "lucky" contestants, she's given no choice but to vie for the heart of Lincoln High's most eligible bachelor. The problem is, they've chosen the wrong guy.

Cole Kingston might be good looking, great with a football and practically the king of Lincoln High, but he's also cocky, arrogant, a serial flirt and Madi's sworn enemy.

Will she be able to resist him though when the competition heats up and he turns his charms on her?” – Goodreads.

5.  13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelopes #1), by Maureen Johnson. It was published on December 21st, 2010 and has 322 pages.

“Inside little blue envelope 1 are $1,000 and instructions to buy a plane ticket.

In envelope 2 are directions to a specific London flat.

The note in envelope 3 tells Ginny: Find a starving artist.

Because of envelope 4, Ginny and a playwright/thief/ bloke about town called Keith go to Scotland together, with somewhat disastrous though utterly romantic results. But will she ever see him again?

Everything about Ginny will change this summer, and it's all because of the 13 little blue envelopes.” – Goodreads.

©2018
Pink Smoothie!

The following list contains new and years-old book releases, so that those that are starting to read can become bookworms, step by step.  

​Advanced readers can also choose their pick, because reading a book that is old also has its advantages.  Books come with infinite knowledge, remember that!

Growing Readers, 6-8 years old.

1. Anastasia Krupnik (Anastasia Krupnik #1), by Louis Lowry. It’s release date was on November 30th, 1978 and has 113 pages.

“Anastasia's tenth year has some good things, like falling in love and really getting to know her grandmother, and some bad things, like finding out about an impending baby brother.”– Goodreads.

2. Sophie’s Lovely Locks, by Erica Pelton Villnave. It’s release date was January 1, 2014 and has 136 pages.

“Sophie McPhee loves her long locks. Curly, curly, fancy, twirly. Twirly, whirly, long, and girly. She thinks long hair is the best! Until...those long locks become a snarly, tangly mess. Ouch! Suddenly, long hair isn’t so much fun. And no matter what she does, Sophie can’t control that hair! Then Sophie comes up with the perfect solution—why not donate her hair to someone who really needs it?” – Goodreads.

3. Just Grace #1 by Charise Mericle Harper. It’s release date was April 23rd,  2007 and has 144 pages.

“Grace loves cats. She also loves taking pictures of cats and drawing Not-So Super comics. She doesn’t like Sammy Stringer, a boy in her class. She’s got lots and lots of ideas, and when her neighbor’s cat goes missing, Grace does her best to make Mrs. Luther feel less lonely. But as the mystery of the missing cat continues, Grace’s well-intentioned plan backfires, and she finds herself in a bit of trouble. Maybe, just maybe, Sammy Stringer will help her through.” – Goodreads.

4. Dance Party (Curry Capers #1) by Asha Divan. It’s release date was July 1, 2010 and has 120 pages.

“Anisha is a typical eight-year-old with typical third grade problems. Homework, chores and her little brother. Not necessarily in that order. When her parents allow her to throw a dance party for her friends at school, she couldn't be happier. Until a distrusting neighbor accuses Anisha and Arun of something they didn't do.  It's up to Anisha and her friends to figure out what's really happening in the garden next door, so she can have the best dance party of her life.  The Curry Capers #1 ” – Goodreads.

5. The Dyno-Mite Dog Show (The Secret Knock Club #1) by Louise Bonett-Rampersaud. It’s release date was December 18th, 2012 and has 112 pages.

“Knock. Knock. Listen up! Agnes and The Secret Knock Club are doing a community service project at The Brookside Retirement Village. But will the dog show (and canine wedding) be a success? Or a dog-gone disaster? Especially after Principal Not-Such-Joy's dog goes missing.” – Goodreads.

Tween, 9-12 years old.

1. The Mystery of Shadow Hills (Skylar Robbins #1), by Carrie Cross. It’s release date was July 30th, 2013 and has 260 pages.

“Thirteen-year-old sleuth Skylar Robbins plans to become a private detective like her grandfather. Stuck at her bullying cousin Gwendolyn’s Malibu estate for the summer, Skylar brings her fingerprinting kit, portable spy tools, and her journal for taking notes in secret code. She had no idea how dangerous the next eight weeks would prove to be.

As soon as Skylar gets to Malibu, mysterious things begin to happen. She discovers a hidden garden behind a rusted gate in Gwendolyn’s huge back yard. Her new friend Kat, who claims to be a witch, recognizes magical elements throughout the garden and declares it the perfect place to perform spells.

“We are going to grow gems.”

“Grow what?” There was no way I heard her right.

Kat’s eyes gleamed. “Gems. You know, rubies, emeralds, sapphires? Gems!”

Ignoring the rising tide, they sneak down to the beach at midnight and search three caves for magic seeds to plant in the abandoned garden. Practical Skylar didn’t believe in magic. Until their spells begin to work.

Skylar Robbins: The Mystery of Shadow Hills has been a #1 Best Seller in Children’s Detective ebooks, Children’s Fantasy & Supernatural Mystery ebooks, Children’s Sword & Sorcery Fantasy ebooks, and Children’s ebooks: Mystery & Detectives/Spies.

5 stars: Spellbinding! Review by GemTones on November 15, 2014 Fans of Nancy Drew and Harry Potter alike will love this fast-paced blend of detective action, mystery, witchcraft, and magic.” – Goodreads.

2. Slumber Party Wars, by Melanie Marks. It’s release date was July 31st, 2011 and has 200 pages.

“When twelve-year-old, Nicole, is forced to go to a new school, nothing goes right. She swallows her contacts, throws up on the boy she likes, and looks like a dork in front of Sara, the girl she wants to be friends with most. Nicole faces one horrible (but funny!) problem after another. 

Then, right when Nicole is finally making friends and fitting in at her new school, a mean trick is played on a girl in her class—starting the Slumber Party Wars.

Funny 20,000-words middle-grade novel. For girls ages 9-12.

Includes The Christmas Wars story as well.

Twelve-year-old Nicole discovers she’s part of a bet involving a very cute boy! Of course, Nina wants to have that very cute boy for Christmas! And Matt wants to sock that very cute boy in the nose. (Christmas Wars is based off Melanie’s short story “The Bet” found in Middle School Crushes.)” – Goodreads.

3. This Journal Belongs To Ratchet, by Nancy J. Cavanaugh. It’s release date was January 1st, 2013 and has 320 pages.

“A debut middle grade novel about a girl named Ratchet and her quest to make a friend, save a park, and find her own definition of normal. Ratchet tells her story through the assignments in her homeschool journal.

If only getting a new life were as easy as getting a new notebook.
But it's not.

It's the first day of school for all the kids in the neighborhood. But not for me. I'm homeschooled. That means nothing new. No new book bag, no new clothes, and no friends – old or new. The best I've got is this notebook. I'm supposed to use it for my writing assignments, but my dad never checks. Here's what I'm really going to use it for:

Ratchet's Top Secret Plan
Project Goal: turn my old, recycled, freakish, friendless, motherless life into something shiny and new.

This year, I'm going make something change.” – Goodreads.

4. Chopstick (Forever Friends #1), by Sandra Byrd. It’s release date was October 1st, 2005 and has 234 pages.

“Two girls each have friends, family, and crushes pushing for them to win. But they can't both win - someone must lose and disappoint those who love them. 

Paige Winsome has always been in the shadow of her athletic brother and academic sister and, as a result, is too often overlooked by her family. 

Kate Kennedy, a pastor's daughter and only child, received plenty of praise and attention for her voice, but her family struggles to make ends meet and must constantly accept others' charity - and put downs.

No sooner do Paige and Kate meet and become fast friends than they discover they're both entering the same singer-songwriter competition and competing for the same $400 prize. Each girl sees this contest as an answer to her problem - for Paige to finally get the recognition she's been waiting, and for Kate, to help others financially without having to ask for handouts. Can this new friendship survive the stress of competition? After all, only one can win ...

"This book is excellent. The girls are real, and their conflicts engage the heart. A laugh-out-loud, cry-out-loud, cheer-out-loud book." Romantic Times Book Review, Top Pick, 4 1/2 stars. 

If you enjoyed Chopsticks, be sure to check out Red Velvet and Daisy Chains, two more Forever Friends books also on Kindle.” – Goodreads.

5. Cross my Heart (Hidden Diary #1), by Sandra Byrd.  It’s release date was May 1, 2001 and has 112 pages.

“Lucy doesn’t want to spend the coming months on Catalina Island, but when she stumbles across an old diary, things look up. Ages 11-14. Hidden Diary book 1.” – Goodreads.

Teen, 13+ years old.
 
1. The Bex Carter Dramadies #1: How NOT To Do High School, by Tiffany Nicole Smith. It was published on March 24, 2017

“Warning: This is what NOT to do.  High school is supposed to be Bex's time to shine, but things are off to a rocky start. First, her aunt embarrasses her on her very first day of high school. Next, Bex tries out for the soccer team and inadvertently makes the team captain angry. Then there’s the struggle to keep her grades up without being sidetracked by boy drama so her aunt won't ship her off to prison (AKA boarding school). On the plus side, Bex meets a cute boy named Lucas, but there's a little voice in her head telling her that Lucas is too perfect to be true. How is Bex supposed to survive her first year of high school when she can barely make it through the first week?”– Goodreads.

2. Marrying a Cowboy (A Fake Marriage Series #1), by Anne-Marie Meyer. It was published on March 11th, 2017 and it has 182 pages.

“Emma George seems destined to be the perpetual bridesmaid. Out of her five friends, she's the surviving single gal and her one potential groom dumped her on her birthday a year ago. Now at the mercy of every do-gooder matchmaker, she's starting to think that love isn't ever going to find her. Alone at her best friend’s wedding, she reaches a point where she will do just about anything to get some relief from those who think that the only way to happiness is through marriage. 

Austin Maverick thought that he was finally going to get married to fulfill his grandmother's stipulation that he must be wed to inherit his grandfather's ranch. But when his romantic weekend in Las Vegas turned into a broken heart, he decided that love wasn't going to be a requirement for marriage anymore. Now a groomsman in his old friend's wedding, he reunites with Emma and concocts an idea. A fake marriage between the two of them would be beneficial for both. 

After a quick wedding at the courthouse, they fly to Austin’s Montana ranch. What starts out as a mutually advantageous trip turns into something more. Feelings emerge and neither Emma nor Austin can figure out if the other one is genuine or just playing the part of a fake spouse. When Austin's grandmother arrives and starts poking holes in their lie, they must decide if what they feel is real or if it's all just an act.” – Goodreads.

3. Pretty Little Liars (Pretty Little Liars #1), by Sara Shepard. It was published on October 1st, 2006 and has 286 pages.

“Three years ago, Alison disappeared after a slumber party, not to be seen since. Her friends at the elite Pennsylvania school mourned her, but they also breathed secret sighs of relief. Each of them guarded a secret that only Alison had known. Now they have other dirty little secrets, secrets that could sink them in their gossip-hungry world. When each of them begins receiving anonymous emails and text messages, panic sets in. Are they being betrayed by someone in their circle? Worse yet: Is Alison back? A strong launch for a suspenseful series.” – Goodreads.

4. Sinful Cinderella (Dark Fairy Tale Queen #1), by Anita Valle. It was published on September 30th, 2015 and has 156 pages.

“And you thought the stepsisters were wicked.... I'm not who they think I am. A docile girl who meekly obeys her stepmother and stepsisters. Some kind of sick angel who cheerfully bears their mistreatment. That's what I WANT them to think. Because then they won't suspect what I'm really up to.

The ball, the prince - it's all part of my plan to come out on top. Stepmother and her demented daughters will pay for every floor I have scoured, every sneer I have borne. They don't know about the white magic, how I use it to enhance myself. They can't see that my heart is black as midnight, rotten as a poisoned apple.

They're about to find out.” – Goodreads.

5. Girl Online (Girl Online #1), by Zoe Zugg. It was published on November 25th, 2014 and has 352 pages.

“I had no idea GirlOnline would take off the way it has - I can't believe I now have 5432 followers, thanks so much! - and the thought of opening up to you all about this is terrifying, but here goes... Penny has a secret.

Under the alias GirlOnline, she blogs about school dramas, boys, her mad, whirlwind family - and the panic attacks she's suffered from lately. When things go from bad to worse, her family whisks her away to New York, where she meets the gorgeous, guitar-strumming Noah. Suddenly Penny is falling in love - and capturing every moment of it on her blog.

But Noah has a secret too. One that threatens to ruin Penny's cover - and her closest friendship – forever.” – Goodreads.

©2018
Pink Smoothie!

The following list contains new and years-old book releases, so that those that are starting to read can become bookworms, step by step.  

​Advanced readers can also choose their pick, because reading a book that is old also has its advantages.  Books come with infinite knowledge, remember that!

Growing Readers, 6-8 years old.

1.    Ballet Bullies (Jake Maddox Girl Sports Series), by Jake Maddox. It’s release date was on October 1, 2014 and has 72 pages.

“Marissa has always loved dancing. But lately, she feels clumsy and awkward when she dances, and she feels bigger and taller than the other girls. She doesn't even bother trying out for the Rose Fairy ballet. But someone else thinks Marissa has what it takes to play the Rose Fairy!” – Goodreads.

2.  Changing Moon: Book 1 (Nola’s Worlds), by Mathieu Mariolle, Maite Lajic, and Melanie Buffiere. It’s release date was January 1, 2014 and has 136 pages.

“In Alta Donna, the weather is great, the sunsets are super, and the stars twinkle brightly. Perfect, right? No! It's super boring. Nothing real ever happens. Everybody says I spend too much time daydreaming in my own little world. At least my dreams are more interesting than Alta Donna.

But what if Alta Donna is hiding a secret? The two new kids in town are up to something. No one could be as good a baseball player as Damiano, and no one could be as charming as Inés. The moment they arrived, life in Alta Donna stopped being perfect and started getting weird. Who are they really?

I always say, if you need a puzzle solved, look for someone with a BIG imagination. And that's me. Nola.” – Goodreads.
 
3.    Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry. It’s release date was April 1, 2010 and has 101 pages.

“Two-time Newbery Medalist Lois Lowry introduces a new girl in class who loves being the center of attention and tells the most entertaining “absolutely true” stories. 

There’s never been anyone like Gooney Bird Greene at Watertower Elementary School. What other new kid comes to school wearing pajamas and cowboy boots one day and a polka-dot t-shirt and tutu on another? Gooney Bird has to sit right smack in the middle of the class because she likes to be in the middle of everything. She is the star of story time and keeps her teacher and classmates on the edge of their seats with her “absolutely true” stories. But what about her classmates? Do they have stories good enough to share?” – Goodreads.

4.    Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows. It’s release date was July 1, 2010 and has 120 pages.

“The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they wouldn't be friends. But when Bean plays a joke on her sister, Nancy, and has to hide quickly, Ivy comes to the rescue, proving that sometimes the best of friends are people never meant to like each other. Vibrant characters and lots of humor make this a charming and addictive introduction to Ivy and Bean.” – Goodreads.

5.    Amelia Bedelia Means Business by Herman Parish. It’s release date was July 29, 2013 and has 155 pages.

​“When Suzanne, the new girl in Amelia Bedelia's class, arrives at school riding the most beautiful bicycle in the whole world, Amelia Bedelia decides she wants a new bike, too. But Amelia Bedelia's mom says that a bike like Suzanne's is so expensive it will cost an arm and a leg! What? Amelia Bedelia doesn't want to give away one of her arms and one of her legs. She'll need both arms to steer her new bike, and both legs to pedal it. Amelia Bedelia decides to get a job, so that she can earn the bike money instead. She tries:

1. Helping out at Pete's Diner
2. Opening a lemonade stand
3. Entering a contest to win a prize
4. Baking treats and selling them

Will Amelia Bedelia ever get the bike of her dreams?” – Goodreads.

Tween 9-12 years old.

1.    Wonder, by R.J. Palacio. It’s release date was February 14, 2012 and has 320 pages.

“I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse. 

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.”

2.    The Lemonade War, by Jacqueline Davies. It’s release date was May 4, 2009 and has 194 pages.

"For a full hour, he poured lemonade. The world is a thirsty place, he thought as he nearly emptied his fourth pitcher of the day. And I am the Lemonade King".

Fourth-grader Evan Treski is people-smart. He’s good at talking with people, even grownups. His younger sister, Jessie, on the other hand, is math-smart, but not especially good with people. So, when the siblings’ lemonade stand war begins, there really is no telling who will win—or even if their fight will ever end. Brimming with savvy marketing tips for making money at any business, definitions of business terms, charts, diagrams, and even math problems, this fresh, funny, emotionally charged novel subtly explores how arguments can escalate beyond anyone’s intent.” – Goodreads.

3.    Twins #1: Swapped,  by Katrina Kahler. It’s released date was December 30, 2016 and has 135 pages.

​“Books for Girls 9-12: Twins is the exciting and suspenseful story of twelve-year-old Casey who unexpectedly finds herself face to face with a new girl named Ali Jackson, the latest addition to Casey's class at school. Usually it would be fun to have a new girl arrive. But not this time! 

When Casey realizes that Ali looks exactly like her, she is not at all impressed. To make matters even worse, Casey's crush, a boy named Jake Hanley and the coolest boy in the grade, takes a sudden interest in Ali, and Casey becomes more annoyed than ever. 

"Who is she and why does she have my face?" This is one of the many questions that Casey asks, and she is determined to find out the answer. However, she is not at all prepared for the outcome. 

Within a matter of days, her world as she once knew it is turned upside down and the decisions she makes lead to consequences beyond her control. 

Twins - Book 1: Swapped is a fabulous book for girls aged 9-12 and is certain to become a new favorite. School friendships, boy crushes, drama and excitement combine together to create a suspenseful and enjoyable story that you will not be able to put down.” – Goodreads.

4.    Descendants, by the Disney Company. It’s release date was July 14, 2015 and has 177 pages.

“Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos are the offspring of some of the most terrible villains of all time. They're offered a chance to leave the Isle of the Lost, where they have been imprisoned all their lives, and go to prep school in the idyllic kingdom of Auradon with all of the "good" kids. There, they must choose whether or not to follow in their parents' evil footsteps. Watch out Auradon--here come the Descendants!” – Goodreads.

5.    Peace, Love, and Cupcakes, by Sheryl and Carrie Berk.  It’s release date was April 3, 2012 and has 205 pages.

“Kylie will never survive fourth grade in her new school without friends. And starting a cupcake club seems the perfect way to meet other girls. But getting the club up and running is not easy- especially with trouble spelled M-e-r-e-d-i-t-h trying to ruin them. In taking on the class mean girl; Kylie and her new friends may have just bitten off more than they can chew.” – Goodreads.

Teen, 13+years old.

1.    The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It was published again on December 21, 2010 to celebrate it’s 100th anniversary. It has 384 pages.

“One of the most delightful and enduring classics of children's literature, The Secret Garden by Victorian author Frances Hodgson Burnett has remained a firm favorite with children the world over ever since it made its first appearance. Initially published as a serial story in 1910 in The American Magazine, it was brought out in novel form in 1911. 

The plot centers round Mary Lennox, a young English girl who returns to England from India, having suffered the immense trauma by losing both her parents in a cholera epidemic. However, her memories of her parents are not pleasant, as they were a selfish, neglectful and pleasure-seeking couple. Mary is given to the care of her uncle Archibald Craven, whom she has never met. She travels to his home, Misselthwaite Manor located in the gloomy Yorkshire, a vast change from the sunny and warm climate she was used to. When she arrives, she is a rude, stubborn and given to stormy temper tantrums. However, her nature undergoes a gradual transformation when she learns of the tragedies that have befallen her strict and disciplinarian uncle whom she earlier feared and despised. Once when he's away from home, Mary discovers a charming walled garden which is always kept locked. The mystery deepens when she hears sounds of sobbing from somewhere within her uncle's vast mansion. The kindly servants ignore her queries or pretend they haven't heard, spiking Mary's curiosity. 

The Secret Garden appeals to both young and old alike. It has wonderful elements of mystery, spirituality, charming characters and an authentic rendering of childhood emotions and experiences. Commonsense, truth and kindness, compassion and a belief in the essential goodness of human beings lie at the heart of this unforgettable story. It is the best known of Frances Hodgson Burnett's works, though most of us have definitely heard of, if not read, her other novel Little Lord Fauntleroy. 

The book has been adapted extensively on stage, film and television and translated into all the world's major languages. In 1991, a Japanese anime version was launched for television in Japan. It remains a popular and beloved story of a child's journey into maturity, and a must-read for every child, parent, teacher and anyone who would enjoy this fascinating glimpse of childhood. One of the most delightful and enduring classics of children's literature, The Secret Garden by Victorian author Frances Hodgson Burnett has remained a firm favorite with children the world over ever since it made its first appearance. Initially published as a serial story in 1910 in The American Magazine, it was brought out in novel form in 1911.” – Goodreads.

2.    Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs. It was published on June 4, 2013 and it has 382 pages.

“A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow-impossible though it seems-they may still be alive. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.” – Goodreads.

3.    The Glass Town Game, by Catherynne M. Valente. It was published on September 5, 2017 and has 544 pages.

“Charlotte and Emily must enter a fantasy world that they invented in order to rescue their siblings in this adventurous and fiercely intelligent novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.

Inside a small Yorkshire parsonage, Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne Brontë have invented a game called Glass Town, where their toy soldiers fight Napoleon, and no one dies. This make-believe land helps the four escape from a harsh reality: Charlotte and Emily are being sent away to a dangerous boarding school, a school they might not return from. But on this Beastliest Day, the day Anne and Branwell walk their sisters to the train station, something incredible happens: the train whisks them all away to a real Glass Town, and the children trade the moors for a wonderland all their own.

This is their Glass Town, exactly like they envisioned it…almost. They certainly never gave Napoleon a fire-breathing porcelain rooster instead of a horse. And their soldiers can die; wars are fought over the potion that raises the dead, a potion Anne would very much like to bring back to England. But when Anne and Branwell are kidnapped, Charlotte and Emily must find a way to save their siblings. Can two English girls stand against Napoleon’s armies, especially now that he has a new weapon from the real world? And if he escapes Glass Town, will England ever be safe again?

Together the Brontë siblings must battle with a world of their own creation if they are to make it back to England alive in this magical celebration of authorship, creativity, and classic literature from award-winning author Catherynne M. Valente.” – Goodreads.

4.    The Lost Hero, by Rick Riordan. It was published on January 5, 2011 and has 577 pages.

​“Jason has a problem.  He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently, he has a girlfriend named Piper, and a best friend named Leo. They’re all students at a boarding school for “bad kids.” What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly?

Piper has a secret.  Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare about his being in trouble. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits during the school trip, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out.

Leo has a way with tools.  When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about, and some camper who's gone missing. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god. Does this have anything to do with Jason's amnesia, or the fact that Leo keeps seeing ghosts.” – Goodreads.

5.    Everything, Everything, by Nicola Yoon. It was published on September 1st, 2015 and has 307 pages.

“My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.” – Goodreads.

©2018
Pink Smoothie!

​The following list contains new and years-old book releases, so that those that are starting to read can become bookworms, step by step. 

​Advanced readers can also choose their pick, because reading a book that is old also has its advantages.  Books come with infinite knowledge, remember that!

Growing Readers, 6-8 years old.

1.    Julia Jones’ Diary #1, by Katrina Kahler. Its release date was on April 16, 2014, and it has 104 pages.

“Julia looks forward to the most exciting event of the year. As the countdown begins, her world fills with new friendships and surprises, especially when a very pretty girl unexpectedly joins her class and they become great friends. In addition, the cutest boy at school suddenly becomes a part of their group and Julia looks forward to the special occasion that they are all planning for. 

But without warning, the events that begin to unfold are not at all what Julia has anticipated. Is there a bully in their midst and is bullying going on around her?

What is in store for Julia and what is the final outcome of her worst day ever? 

You are sure to love the first book in the Julia Jones series. It is fast paced and suspenseful and will captivate you from start to finish. 

A fantastic book for girls aged from 9 to 12.” – Amazon.

2.    Best Friends, by Mary Bard and Nancy Pearl. It was first published in 1955, but it was back to public in November 3, 2015. It has 209 pages.

“Suzie Green has only dreamed of having a best friend. Someone to vent to and giggle with—and someone to help her face the Select Seven at school every day. Those girls are boy crazy, they talk in codes, and they call Suzie “teacher’s pet.” It’s not easy being a teacher’s kid! And it’s not easy being eleven, going on twelve, without a best friend.

Then Co Co Langdon moves in next door. Suzie has never met anyone like Co Co. She’s from France and has traveled all over the world. And she’s never been to school, having been tutored all her life. But now that Co Co is in America, she will go to school for the very first time.

And Suzie will finally have a best friend by her side! First published in 1955, Best Friends follows two girls through one unforgettable school year as they take on mean girls, a cranky neighbor, boys, and the search for a missing neighborhood dog. In the end, they’ll find out what it truly means to be best friends.” – Amazon.

3.    Emma Dilemma and the New Nanny, by Patricia Hermes and Abby Carter. It was published on January 5, 2012 and has 115 pages.

“Marmaduke is missing! Once again, Emma has forgotten to put her ferret back in his cage. And with four brothers and sisters and a poodle who chases Marmaduke around the house, Emma finds herself in the middle of this and other family dilemmas. If only she can prove to her parents that she’s responsible, then maybe they’ll let her join the traveling soccer team. When Annie, the new nanny, arrives, Emma feels she’s found someone who’s on her side. Annie’s the coolest nanny ever, but will Mom and Daddy let her stay? Or will they fire her, as they have so many of the other nannies?” – Amazon.

4.    Fancy Nancy: Nancy Clancy Super Sleuth, by Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser. It was published in April 3, 2012 and has 144 pages.

“In this first in a series of delightful chapter books, Fancy Nancy takes on the role of detective. When one of Nancy's classmate's most treasured possessions disappear from school, it's up to detective Nancy to solve the mystery and save the day.

With the help of her friend Bree, she follows the clues to an unexpected source. Fans of Nancy Drew's Clue Crew will be among the readers happy to see a new Nancy join the ranks of super sleuths!” – Amazon.
 
5.    Princess Peepers Picks a Pet, by Pam Calvert. It was first published in May 15, 2012 and has 32 pages.

​“Everyone at the Royal Academy for Perfect Princesses is excited about the upcoming pet show. Everyone, that is, except Princess Peepers.  She doesn’t have a pet! Will a bug from her collection work? What about a frog from the royal pond? Can the other princesses accept a pet that is as unique as Princess Peepers is? Princess Peepers makes the pet show an unforgettable one in this sequel about the world’s most lovable princess. Tuesday Morning’s vibrant illustrations using mixed media add to the fun in this quirky read aloud about identity and acceptance.” – Amazon. 

Tween 9-12 years old.

1. Sweet Farts #1, by Raymond Bean. It was published on April 3, 2012 and it has 139 pages.

"Someone has been farting up a storm at school and everyone thinks Keith Emerson is to blame. Unfortunately for Keith, it has earned him the nickname “S.B.D.” (silent but deadly). To make matters worse, Keith's dad is a self-proclaimed “Fart Machine” who really stinks it up at home. With the science fair quickly approaching, Keith decides he has had enough. He comes up with a science fair project idea to turn the foul smell of human gas into something sweet smelling. The idea lands him in the principal's office, and in big trouble with his mom.

With the help of his little sister Emma, his dad, his crazy grandma, and Benjamin Franklin (great American scientist), Keith will attempt to make the greatest scientific discovery of all time, the cure for the common fart.” – Amazon.

2. Dork Diaries #1: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life, by Rachel Renée Russell. It was published on June 2, 2009 and is 352 pages long.

"It’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid for girls in this hilarious novel!

Meet Nikki Maxwell! She's starting eighth grade at a new school—and her very first diary packed with hilarious stories and art in Book One of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series!

New school. New mean girl. New crush. New diary so I can spill about all of it…

I put a lot of really personal stuff in this diary along with my sketches and doodles.

But, mostly it’s about how TRAUMATIC it was transferring to my new private middle school, Westchester Country Day.

And, how a lot of the CCP (Cool, Cute & Popular) kids were really SNOBBY and made my life TOTALLY miserable. People like, oh, I don’t know, maybe…MACKENZIE HOLLISTER!!

And, it just so happened that I got stuck with a locker right next to hers. I could NOT believe I had such CRAPPY luck. I knew right then and there it was going to be a VERY, VERY long school year!” – Goodreads.

3. Diary of a Super Girl  #1: The Ups and Downs of Being Super, by Katrina Kahler. It was published on February 15, 2017 and has 121 pages.

" ... Lia Strong always thought of herself as a normal 12-year-old. She had to deal with the ups and downs of middle school. You know how it goes...hanging out with friends, going to LAX practice, doing massive amounts of homework and dealing with mean girls. Everything changed though, when Lia turned 13! 

On her 13th birthday, she found out some very special news...she is the latest in a long line of super women. It seems that Lia is still a normal girl, except for one thing - her super powers. On the up side, she has the strength of 100 people, but on the down side, one of her farts has the potential to knock out 100 people!

Oh, the joys of having Super Powers! A perfect book for girls who love strong female characters. You'll love it!” – Amazon.

4. Mind Reader #1: My New Life, by Katrina Kahler. It was first published on March 26, 2016 and has 108 pages.

"Emmie is a 12-year-old girl who has a special talent. Her mom calls it a gift, but Emmie does not agree. Being a mind reader is not at all what it's made out to be and Emmie constantly finds herself in trouble. The girls at school think she's creepy and try to avoid her. This leads to an ongoing change of schools and a struggle to make friends, leaving Emmie feeling lonelier than ever. However, when Emmie and her mom decide to move to Carindale, Emmie happens to meet a girl called Millie Spencer and everything changes. 

Emmie has never had a best friend before and feels that finally her life has turned in a positive direction. Meeting Millie's friend, Jack adds to the excitement, especially when she realizes he is someone she cannot stop thinking about. Then some strange events take place and when Millie's old friend, Julia Jones makes an unexpected visit, Emmie's world turns upside down.

Can she use her mind reading abilities to help her or will she find herself in more trouble than ever before?

If you enjoyed Julia Jones' Diary then Mind Reader is another series that you will love. This exciting book for girls is filled with unexpected plot twists and turns, drama, romance, boy crushes, friendship issues and much, much more. It will hook you in from beginning to end and is sure to become a new favorite!” – Amazon.

5. Class Dismissed, by Allan Woodrow. It’s first reprinted edition was released in June 27, 2017 and has 272 pages.

"Class 507 is the worst class Ms. Bryce has ever taught. And she would know -- she's been teaching forever. They are so terrible that when a science experiment goes disastrously wrong (again), Ms. Bryce has had it and quits in the middle of the lesson. But through a mix-up, the school office never finds out.

Which means ... Class 507 is teacher-free!

The class figures if they don't tell anyone, it'll be one big holiday. Kyle and his friends can play games all day. Samantha decides she'll read magazines and give everyone (much needed) fashion advice. Adam can doodle everywhere without getting in trouble. Eric will be able to write stories with no one bothering him. And Maggie ... well, as the smartest kid in the class she has an ambitious plan for this epic opportunity.

​But can Class 507 keep the principal, the rest of the students, and their parents from finding out ... or will the greatest school year ever turn into the worst disaster in school history?” – Goodreads. 

Teen, 13+years old.

1.     Princess Academy, by Shannon Hale. It’s edited edition was released on February 24, 2015 and has 336 pages.

“Miri lives on a mountain where, for generations, her ancestors have lived a simple life. Then word comes that the king's priests have divined her village the home of the future princess. In a year's time, the prince will choose his bride from among the village girls.

The king's ministers set up an academy on the mountain, and every teenage girl must attend and learn how to become a princess. Soon Miri finds herself confronted with a harsh academy mistress, bitter competition among the girls, and her own conflicting desires. Winning the contest could give her everything she ever wanted-but it would mean leaving her home and family behind.

Packaged with a fresh cover, this timelessly charming, award-winning story from best-selling author Shannon Hale is sure to enchant a whole new generation of readers.” – Amazon.
 
2.     Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly. It was first published in November 26, 2016 and it has 240 pages.

“The uplifting, amazing true story—a New York Times bestseller. This edition of Margot Lee Shetterly’s acclaimed book is perfect for young readers. It is the powerful story of four African-American female mathematicians at NASA who helped achieve some of the greatest moments in our space program. Now a major motion picture starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kirsten Dunst, and Kevin Costner.

Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used pencils, slide rules, and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space.

This book brings to life the stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, who lived through the Civil Rights era, the Space Race, the Cold War, and the movement for gender equality, and whose work forever changed the face of NASA and the country.” – Amazon.
 
3.     I am Malala, by Malala Yousafzai. This book telling the true story of the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Price was published in June 2, 2015 and it has 368 pages.

"A MEMOIR BY THE YOUNGEST RECIPIENT OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE"

As seen on Netflix with David Letterman.

“I come from a country that was created at midnight. When I almost died it was just after midday.”

When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education.

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive.

Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she became a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize.

I AM MALALA is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.

I AM MALALA will make you believe in the power of one person's voice to inspire change in the world.” – Amazon.
 
4.     The Hobbit, by J.R.R Tolkien. This great book’s 70th edition was first published in September 8, 2012 and has 300 pages.  

“A great modern classic and the prelude to The Lord of the Rings.
 
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.” – Amazon.
 
5.     The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien. This great book’s newest edition was released in February 15, 2012 and has 432 pages.

​“The first volume in J.R.R. Tolkien's epic adventure THE LORD OF THE RINGS. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell into the hands of Bilbo Baggins, as told in The Hobbit. In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.” – Amazon.

​©2018
Pink Smoothie!